Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed Wednesday in a tragic plane crash, along with four others on board his charter aircraft.

The incident occurred while Pawar was traveling to his home region to campaign for local body elections.

Ajit Pawar, a senior leader from Maharashtra’s prominent political family, was en route from Mumbai when his aircraft went down near Baramati in Pune district.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed that no one on board survived. Along with Pawar, two staff members and two crew were killed in the crash.

Video footage from the scene showed thick smoke rising from the burning wreckage scattered across an open field.

Political context

Pawar, who supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party in Maharashtra’s coalition government, had led a faction that split from the opposition Nationalist Congress Party in 2023.

This is Horrible

Deputy CM Ajit Panwar's plan crashes.pic.twitter.com/E0cWXi2cdr
— RaGa For India (@RaGa4India) January 28, 2026

He was traveling to Baramati, his family stronghold, to canvass for upcoming local body elections. The crash occurred while the aircraft attempted an emergency landing in the area.

Investigation underway

Authorities have not yet revealed the cause of the crash. Aviation regulators and relevant agencies have launched investigations to determine what led to the fatal accident.

The incident has shocked both the political establishment and the public, given Pawar’s high-profile status in state politics.